Low-latency communication protocol for binaural applications

ABSTRACT

Hearing instruments, such as hearing aids, may improve a quality of presented audio through the use of a binaural application, such as beamforming. The binaural application may require communication between the hearing instruments so that audio from a left hearing instrument may be combined with audio from a right hearing instrument. The combining at a hearing instrument can require synchronizing audio sampled locally with sampled audio received from wireless communication. This synchronization may cause a noticeable delay of an output of the binaural application if the latency of the wireless communication is not low (e.g., a few samples of delay). Presented herein is a low-latency communication protocol that communicates packets on a sample-by-sample basis and that compensates for delays caused by overhead protocol data transmitted with the audio data.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/143,324, filed Jan. 7, 2021, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to point-to-point wireless communicationand more specifically to a digital wireless communication protocolhaving low latency to facilitate binaural applications for hearinginstruments.

BACKGROUND

Hearing instruments, such as hearing aids or ear-worn speakers (i.e. earbuds), can be worn in/on each ear of a user to provide sound to a user.Additionally, the hearing instruments may include one or moremicrophones to receive audio signals from an environment of the user.For example, audio from the environment may be received and converted(i.e., sampled) into a first digital signal (i.e., left channel) by aleft-worn hearing instrument, and audio from the environment may bereceived and converted into a second digital signal (i.e., rightchannel) by a right-worn hearing instrument. Processing to improve alistening/hearing experience for the user is possible if the leftchannel and the right channel can be processed together (i.e., binauralprocessing). This binaural processing can require digital communicationbetween the hearing instruments and the synchronization of the left andright channels.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, the present disclosure generally describes amethod for wireless communication between two devices. The methodincludes designating a first device as a master and a second device as aslave. The master and the slave communicate data over a frame bytransmitting protocol packets from the master to the slave at regularintervals in a first half of the frame and from the slave to the masterat regular intervals in a second half of the frame. Each protocol packettransmitted add a latency to the wireless communication. Accordingly,the method further includes transmitting data packets during the regularintervals between the protocol packets. The data packets are transmittedbetween the master and the slave in an alternating fashion. The datapackets have a number of bits that is smaller than a number of bits ofthe protocol packets so that the latency added by each protocol packetis compensated for by the data packets transmitted between the protocolpackets.

In another aspect, the present disclosure generally describes a hearinginstrument system. The hearing instrument system includes a firsthearing instrument that is designated as master and that is configuredto be worn at a first ear of a user. The first hearing instrumentincludes a first microphone, a first speaker, a first transceiverconfigured for wireless communication, and a first processor configuredto execute software instructions stored in a first memory. Whenexecuted, the software instructions cause the first processor totransmit a first channel of audio samples collected at the firstmicrophone in packets that each contain one audio sample so that thepackets are transmitted as each audio sample is collected. The hearinginstrument system further includes a second hearing instrument that isdesignated as slave and that is configured to be worn at a second ear ofthe user. The second hearing instrument includes a second microphone, asecond speaker, a second transceiver configured for wirelesscommunication, and a second processor configured to execute softwareinstructions stored in a second memory. When executed, the softwareinstructions cause the second processor to transmit a second channel ofaudio samples collected at the second microphone in packets that eachcontain one audio sample so that the packets are transmitted as eachaudio sample is collected. The second processor is further caused toreceive the first channel of audio samples collected at the firstmicrophone, combine the first channel and the second channel for abinaural application, and couple an output of the binaural applicationto the second speaker.

In another aspect, the present disclosure generally describes anon-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructionsstored thereon that when executed by a processor of the first hearinginstrument, cause the first hearing instrument to perform operations.The operations include transmitting a preamble packet to a secondhearing instrument, where the transmission of the preamble packet causesa first delay corresponding to a time taken to transmit preamble data ofthe preamble packet. The operations further includes transmitting, afterthe preamble packet, a number of data packets at a rate that compensatesfor the first delay. The operations further include transmitting amessage packet to the second hearing instrument, wherein thetransmission of the message packet causes a second delay correspondingto a time taken to transmit message data of the message packet. Theoperations further include transmitting, after the message packet, anumber of data packets at a rate that compensates for the second delay.The operations further include transmitting a cyclic redundancy check(CRC) packet to the second hearing instrument, where the transmission ofthe CRC packet causes a third delay corresponding to a time taken totransmit CRC data of the CRC packet. The operations further includetransmitting, after the CRC packet, a number of data packets at a ratethat compensates for the third delay.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplaryobjectives and/or advantages of the disclosure, and the manner in whichthe same are accomplished, are further explained within the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a beam forming processaccording to an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a binaural sound system includinghearing instruments communicating via near field magnetic induction(NFMI) according to a possible implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a hearing instrument according toa possible implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates timing diagrams of a low-latency communicationprotocol according to a possible implementation of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a frame of uplink and downlink data streams accordingto a possible implementation of a low-latency communication protocolaccording to an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for wireless communication accordingto a possible implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a frame of packet transmissions from a master and aslave for various phases of the wireless communication protocolaccording to a possible implementation of the present disclosure.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative toeach other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Binaural processing can improve a listening/hearing experience for auser by processing audio received at different hearing instruments(e.g., worn at each ear of the user) For example, a user that is deaf inone ear may hear a combined left/right audio channel in the hearing earso that sounds on the side of the user's deaf ear may be heard moreeasily. In another example, a user may receive audio with reduced noise,using a binaural processing technique known as beamforming. Binauralprocessing may require wireless digital communication of sound databetween a left hearing instrument and a right hearing instrument and thesynchronization of the sound data prior to processing. Conventionalradio frequency (RF) digital communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth,WiFi) can introduce a communication delay (i.e. transport delay,latency) that can negatively affect the binaural processing. Disclosedherein are circuits and methods to improve the wireless digitalcommunication and synchronization of audio data to facilitate binauralprocessing, such as beamforming.

Beamforming may be performed on audio from two spatially separatedmicrophones on a single hearing instrument (i.e., monaural beamforming);however, beamforming performed on audio from microphones on a lefthearing instrument at a left ear of the user and a right hearinginstrument at a right ear of the user (i.e., binaural beamforming) mayoffer some advantages. For example, the audio from the left and righthearing instruments may have an interaural delay and amplitudedifference resulting from the separation between the left/right ears anda direction of the sound, which can improve a quality the beamforming.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example beam formingprocess. The example beamforming process is simplified forunderstanding. Variations to the example beamforming process arepossible and within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, anumber, an arrangement (e.g., spatial separation), and a response (e.g.,amplitude) of the microphones may be adjusted to suit a particularapplication/environment.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a first microphone (M1) and a second microphone(M2) are spatially separated by a distance (d). The spatial separationdistance (d) and the direction of the sound introduce an interauraldelay 105 between a first time at which a sound arrives at the firstmicrophone (M1) and a second time at which the sound arrives at thesecond microphone (M2). The beamforming processing 100 includes abuffering delay 110 applied to one of the audio streams (e.g., the audiofrom the first microphone (M1)). The buffering delay 110 can be used tosynchronize the audio streams and/or create a delay between the audiostreams for beamforming. The beamforming processing further includes acombiner 120 that is configured to combine (e.g., sum) the audio streamsinto a beamformed audio stream 130. By adjusting the buffering delay 110(e.g., with respect to the interaural delay 105), audio from aparticular direction may be adjusted (e.g., cancelled, attenuated,enhanced) by the beamforming process. For example, a pure sine wavereceived by M1 and M2 can be canceled completely for a particulardirection if, after the interaural delay 105 and the buffering delay110, the versions of the sine wave at the combiner 120 are 180 degreesout of phase.

A quality of an audio adjustment (i.e., cancellation, attenuation,enhancement) resulting from beamforming can depend on the matchingperformance of the first microphone (M1) and the second microphone (M2).Additionally, a spatial profile (i.e., directivity) of the beamformingmay be affected by the spatial separation (d) of the first microphone(M1) and the second microphone (M2). A small spatial separation (d) canproduce an interaural delay 105 that changes little (if at all) with adirection of the sound. As the spatial separation (d) of the microphonesis made larger, a spatial filtering that is possible from thebeamforming may be increased. Accordingly, it may be desirable toposition the first microphone (M1) at a left ear of a user and thesecond microphone (M2) at a right ear of the user (or vice versa). Thispositioning may also add realism to the beamforming by preserving theamplitudes and phases of audio streams as they normally appear at eachear of the user.

A relatively large spatial separation (d) can require sound data fromone of the microphones to be transmitted to the other. Referring to FIG.1 , if the beamforming processing 100 is local to the first microphone(M1) (e.g., included in a left hearing instrument), then sound data fromthe second microphone (M2) (e.g., from a right hearing instrument) canbe transmitted to the beamforming processing 100. Wireless communicationof the sound data may be desirable in many applications (e.g., inhearing instruments) but can introduce a communication delay 140 (i.e.,latency) to the beamforming shown in FIG. 1 .

As mentioned, a conventional wireless communication protocol may resultin a communication delay 140 that is relatively large. Increasing thebuffering delay 110 to compensate for the communication delay 140,however, may reduce a quality of the beamforming (i.e., may reduce alistening/hearing experience for a user). For example, a communicationdelay can result in a beamformed audio stream 130 that is visually outof sync with a sound source (especially for high frequency sounds) dueto a buffering delay necessary to compensate for the communication delay140.

The disclosed circuits and methods describe a wireless communicationsystem that includes a communication protocol that minimizes acommunication delay (i.e., provides an ultra-low latency) to allow forimproved performance in binaural applications, such as beamforming.Additionally, the communication protocol can utilize wirelesscommunication technology that is well suited for body-worn hearinginstruments.

Conventional digital wireless communication can include transmittingpropagating radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., 2.4 gigahertz (GHz))between a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna. For conventionaldigital wireless communication, such as Bluetooth and WiFi, the RFsignals are intended to propagate according to far-field transmissionprinciples. Communicating between hearing instruments worn in oppositeears using these forms of digital wireless communication could result in(at least) poor efficiency and interference with other devices. To avoidthese problems, the disclosed circuits and methods can use a near fieldmagnetic induction (NFMI) communication technology, which is bettersuited for wireless communication between body worn devices, such ashearing instruments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a binaural sound system includinghearing instruments communicating via NFMI according to a possibleimplementation of the present disclosure. The binaural sound system 200includes two hearing instruments. Each hearing instrument 300 can beconfigured to be worn near or touching an ear of a user. For example, ina possible implementation, the hearing instruments are a left hearinginstrument and a right hearing instrument worn (at least partially) inan ear canal of the user. Each hearing instrument 300 can include one ormore speakers for projecting transmitted sounds 210 (e.g., beamformedaudio stream) from the hearing instrument. Each hearing instrument 300can also include one or more microphones for receiving received sounds220 from an environment. Each hearing instrument 300 may also include atransmitter and/or a receiver. For example, each hearing instrument 300may include a transmitter/receiver (T/R) configured to transmit andreceive digital data over a wireless communication link 230 (e.g., abidirectional wireless communication link). As mentioned previously, thewireless communication link 230 may include NFMI.

NFMI facilitates digital communication over a short range (e.g., <1meter (m)). For NFMI communication, each hearing instrument 300 caninclude a coil 240 that is coupled to a transmitter/receiver of thehearing instrument 300. The transmitter of a first hearing instrumentcan be configured to excite a current in a coil 240 of the transmitterto produce a magnetic field 250 that is inductively coupled to a coil240 of a receiver of a second hearing instrument. The magnetic field 250may be modulated (e.g., frequency shift key (FSK)) for communicatingdigital information between the hearing instruments. The coils may besubstantially similar (e.g., identical) and can be arranged to increasea magnetic coupling so that the efficiency of NFMI can be high. Further,magnetic field 250 can be tightly coupled and has an amplitude thatdrops quickly with range because it does not propagate (i.e., near fieldtransmission). Accordingly, NFMI communication can minimize interferencewith other devices. For digital communication, the magnetic field 250may be modulated in a high-frequency (HF) band (e.g., 10-14 megahertz(MHz)). HF band signals may experience less distortion/absorption fromthe human body than higher frequency signals (e.g., 2.4 GHz).

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a hearing instrument 300 that canbe used in the binaural sound system of FIG. 2 . As mentionedpreviously, the hearing instrument can include a transmitter/receivercoupled to a wireless transducer, such as an antenna or a coil. Thetransmitter/receiver may be implemented as a discrete transmitter andreceiver or may be implemented as a transmitter/receiver device thatincludes a transmitter portion and receiver portion. For the hearinginstrument implementation shown in FIG. 3 , a transmitter/receiver 310(i.e., transceiver) may transmit and receive digital data (e.g., anaudio data stream) over a wireless communication link 230 via a coil 240configured for NFMI.

The hearing instrument 300 includes at least one microphone 320 (i.e.,mic) configured to convert received sounds 220 into an analog mic signal321. The analog mic signal 321 is coupled to an analog-to-digitalconverter (i.e., A/D 330) that is configured to periodically sample(i.e., samples spaced by a sampling period) the analog mic signal 321 ata sample rate (e.g., 24 kilohertz (kHz)), generate digital sampleshaving a amplitude resolution corresponding to a binary representation(e.g., 16 bits), and output the digital samples in sequence as a digitaldata stream 331. The digital data stream 331 may be transmitted to aprocessor (e.g., a digital signal processor (i.e., DSP 340), which canbe configured to use the digital data stream 331 as a channel in abinaural application, such as beamforming. In a possible implementation,the hearing instrument can include a delay 335 (e.g., buffering delay110) that is configured to generate a buffered digital data stream 332,which is buffered for a period before being provided to the DSP 340. Thedelay 335 may be used to synchronize data streams (e.g., local andreceived) at the DSP 340 and may also be used for binaural applications(e.g., beamforming). The digital data stream 331 may also be provided toan encoder 344 that is configured to encode (e.g., compress) the digitaldata stream in order to reduce a number of bits (i.e., bandwidth)communicated over the wireless communication link 230. The encoder 344may be a portion of an audio codec 350 that includes (at least) anencoder 344 and a decoder 345. The audio codec 350 may be one of aplurality of possible types, including (but not limited to) an adaptivedifferential pulse-code modulation (ADPCM) codec. The encoder 344 mayoutput an encoded data stream 341 for transmission to a transmitterportion of the transmitter/receiver 310 for transmission to anotherhearing instrument (not shown).

The transmitter/receiver 310 may further include a receiver portion thatis configured to receive an encoded data stream from another hearinginstrument (not shown) over the wireless communication link 230 via thecoil 240. The receiver portion may couple the received encoded datastream 342 to the decoder 345. The decoder 345 can be configured todecode (e.g., decompress) the received encoded data stream and output areceived digital data stream 346 to the DSP 340.

The DSP 340 may be configured to receive/process the buffered digitaldata stream 332 (i.e., first channel, local channel) and the receiveddigital data stream 346 (i.e., second channel, remote channel, receivedchannel) for a binaural application and to output a processed digitaldata stream 351. The processed digital data stream 351 can be acombination of the buffered digital data stream 332 and the receiveddigital data stream 346. In a possible implementation, the DSP 340 isconfigured (e.g., by software) to perform beamforming processing on thefirst channel and the second channel. In this case, the processeddigital data stream 351 is the beamformed audio stream 130.

The hearing instrument 300 may further include a non-transitory computerreadable medium (i.e., memory 360). The memory 360 may be configured tostore a computer program product (i.e., software) including instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, can configure the processor toperform operations to enable functionality of the hearing instrument.For example, the memory 360 may include stored instructions that canconfigured the DSP 340 to perform a beamforming process (i.e., method).Additionally, or alternatively, the memory may include storedinstructions that can configure a processor (e.g., the DSP 340) toperform a method associated with an ultra-low latency NFMI communicationprotocol.

The hearing instrument 300 may further include a digital-to-analogconverter (i.e., D/A 355) that is configured to parse the digitalsamples of the processed digital data stream 351 and to generate ananalog speaker signal 324 based on the digital samples. The analogspeaker signal 324 can be amplified (not shown) and coupled to at leastone speaker 325 of the hearing instrument 300 to produce transmittedsounds 210. The transmitted sounds 210 may provide an improvedlistening/hearing experience for a user because of the binauralapplication. For example, the transmitted sounds may include less noisethan transmitted sounds without the processing provided by the binauralapplication.

As mentioned, the hearing instrument 300 shown in FIG. 3 can be one oftwo hearing instruments worn in the ears of a user. In this case, thehearing instrument worn in the left ear can be the same as the hearingaid worn in the right ear. In other words, processing may be performedat each hearing instrument. Alternatively, a first hearing instrument ina pair can include a subset of the circuits/subsystems as a secondhearing instrument in the pair. In other words, processing for abinaural application may be performed at one hearing instrument in thepair. In either case, a wireless communication link 230 between thehearing instrument may be required. The wireless communication link 230may include a low-latency communication protocol in order to preventproblems in the processing for the binaural application.

FIG. 4 illustrates timing diagrams of a low-latency communicationprotocol according to a possible implementation of the presentdisclosure. In a forward direction (i.e., right HI to left HI), themicrophone A/D samples are processed immediately by a codec and channelencoder on a per sample basis. The encoded data is then formatted intosmall packets representing one sample each and transmitted over the airat a high data rate. Next, the left HI receives the transmitted signaland decodes the demodulated packet. The demodulated data is decodedsample-by-sample to generate the D/A samples. The D/A samples areconverted to analog audio for the left's speaker. The communicationdelay in the example is 3 sample periods, which is 125 microseconds for24 kHz sample rate. In other words, the latency of the communication isonly a few sample periods and is mostly due to the encoding/decoding.

FIG. 4 includes a plurality of graphs of signals plotted versus the sametime axis. The plurality of graphs may be grouped by hearing instrument.The graphs include graphs for a first hearing instrument (e.g., a righthearing instrument 401). The graphs also include graphs for a secondhearing instrument (e.g., a left hearing instrument 402). The graphsillustrate the timing associated with bidirectional communication ofaudio between the left hearing instrument (left HI) and the righthearing instrument (right HI) to provide a visual understanding of acommunication delay (i.e. latency). The timing can be expressed in termsof a sampling time (i.e., sampling period) (e.g., 41.67 microseconds(p)/sample) for the audio signals, which is typically the same for eachhearing instrument.

At the right hearing instrument, microphone audio is sampled to create aright audio data stream that includes a plurality of audio samples. In aconventional communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi), a number ofsamples are collected to form a block that can be encoded andtransmitted in a packet. When an amount of overhead data is required foreach packet (e.g., as in Bluetooth, WiFi), an efficiency of the packetcommunication can be increased by increasing a size of the block.Additionally, an encoder may work better for large blocks of data. Inother words, an amount of compression of a block of data may increase asa size (i.e., length) of the block of data is increased.

While larger blocks may be desirable for conventional communication,they can lead to larger communication delays (i.e., transport delays,latencies). For example, transmitting a block of data from a firstdevice to a second device results in a communication delay that includesa transmission delay and a reception delay. The transmission delay caninclude a first delay associated with collecting the data samples for ablock of data at the first device, a second delay associated withencoding the block of data, and a third delay associated withtransmitting the encoded block of data wirelessly. Receiving the blockof data can result in a reception delay that includes a fourth delayassociated with receiving the encoded block of data, a fifth delayassociated with decoding the block of data, and a sixth delay associatedwith presenting audio from the block of data at the second device.

When the block of data is large, a communication delay, resulting from aconventional protocol, can be too large for a binaural application. Abinaural application using a first stream of audio data collectedlocally and a second stream of audio data received from a remote devicemay require the synchronization of the streams of audio data. Bufferingthe stream of audio data collected locally during the communicationdelay in order to synchronize it with the audio data collected remotelymay result in a delayed output of the processed digital data stream(i.e., the transmitted sound). This delay may be made even more severeif a packet is damaged or lost. In hearing instruments (e.g., hearingaids), large delays (e.g., ≥10 milliseconds (msec)) may be unacceptablebecause sounds may become noticeably out of sync with their visuallyobservable sources (i.e., counterparts). Accordingly, the disclosedcommunication protocol can minimize a block size (e.g., ≤2 samples). Forexample, as shown in FIG. 4 the block size is one sample. To prevent theloss of efficiency associated with a small block, the disclosedcommunication protocol eliminates the overhead data transmitted witheach block. Instead, the disclosed communication protocol distributesthe overhead data (e.g., messaging, error correction, synchronization,etc.) throughout a frame of samples to manage the communication andeliminate errors.

As shown in FIG. 4 , microphone audio 405 collected from a microphone ata right HI may be sampled to produce a sequence of A/D samples. Each A/Dsample may be represented by a number of bits (e.g., 16 bits). The bitsfor each sample may be encoded by an encoder 409 to produce an encodedblock for a packet. The packet may be transmitted using a wirelesstechnology (e.g., NFMI) to a left HI 402. At the left HI, the packet isdecoded by a decoder 413 and converted into D/A samples 415 so thatreceived audio 417 from the right HI 401 is reconstructed at the left HI402. Because the block of data in the packet is limited to a sample, adelay 420 between a time at which audio was sampled by the right HI 401and a time at which the sample becomes available at the left HI 402 issmall (e.g., about 3 samples). Accordingly, synchronizing audio capturedat the left HI 402 (i.e., left microphone audio 419) with audio receivedfrom the right HI (i.e., left speaker audio 417) requires a short delay(e.g., ˜125 μs). The left HI 402 may also collect and transmit audio tothe right HI as described above.

The left HI 402 and the right HI 401 can transmit packets at the samerate but at different times so that packets 411 transmitted by the rightHI 401 (i.e., downlink packets) do not overlap with packets 412transmitted by the left HI 402 (i.e., uplink packets). To achievenon-overlapping packets, the right HI and the left HI can synchronizeusing communicated messages that includes predetermined data (e.g., syncword). For example, prior to data transmission a master device (e.g.,the right HI) may repeatedly transmit a short (e.g., 16 bit) sync wordto a slave device (e.g., the left HI). Because the sync word is known tothe slave device, adjustments may be made to the sync device until thesync word is recognized at the slave device.

The left HI 402 may not always receive packets from the right HI 401correctly (and vice versa). To correct for communication errors, eachpacket may include parity bits that can help the receiving device todetermine if the data in a packet is correct or incorrect. The paritybit analysis may determine if correction is possible. If correction ispossible, then the data bits in the packet can be changed to correct theerrors. If correction is not possible, the code may apply an algorithm(e.g., packet loss concealment) to mitigate the information lost by theerror.

For at least synchronization and error correction some overheadinformation may be communicated in addition to the audio data. Anadvantage of the low-latency communication protocol disclosed is thatthis overhead information may be transmitted without significantlyaffecting the packet-to-packet delay. For example, messages regardingthe communication may be transmitted on a frame-by-frame basis where aframe includes a number (e.g., 128) of packets. Delays (i.e. latencies)caused by the messages may be counter balanced by an increased packettransmission rate so that a latency caused by the overhead informationis insignificant (e.g., zero). The protocol and its features may be bestunderstood by considering an example frame.

FIG. 5 illustrates a frame 500 including an uplink data stream 501(e.g., transmitted by a device designated slave) and downlink datastream 502 (e.g., transmitted by a device designated master) accordingto a possible implementation of a low-latency communication protocol.The low-latency communication protocol (i.e., protocol) includes aplurality of frames transmitted in sequence. Each frame can be identicaland arranged as the frame 500 shown. Accordingly, the frame 500 mayinclude an identically arranged frame just prior to the frame shown andimmediately after the frame shown. The frame includes a plurality ofpackets. In each frame, the uplink data stream 501 and the downlink datastream 502 can alternate transmitting packets. A number of packetstransmitted in the uplink data stream 501 during the frame 500 may equala number of packets transmitted in the downlink data stream 502 duringthe frame 500. Each packet in data stream may include a block of audiodata 512 (i.e., DATA). As mentioned, the audio data in each packet maycorrespond to bits of one sample of an analog audio signal. Each packetmay further include parity bits 516 (i.e., PARITY) added by an encoder344 to help diagnose and correct for bit errors in audio data resultingfrom the wireless communication. Accordingly, data packets (D) can bearranged so that the parity bits are transmitted after the audio bits.In other words, a data packet 511 (i.e., D) can include (in sequence)payload (e.g., audio data (i.e., DATA)) and parity data (i.e., PARITY).In a frame 500, the downlink transmitter and the uplink transmitter taketurns transmitting data packets. For the uplink and downlinktransmission to use the same frequency band, time synchronizationbetween the data streams may be necessary. This initial timesynchronization may happen at the beginning of communication, during asynchronization period (i.e., start-up mode). The frame of FIG. 5 showsthe relative timing of packet transmission after synchronization (i.e.,after a start-up mode of communication)

A data packet 511 may be a sample of audio data (e.g., 16 bits) that hasbeen compressed by a codec (e.g., ADPCM) to a short data length (e.g., 8bits). The parity may be shorter than the compressed audio sample (e.g.,4 bits). The parity may be used to detect, and in some cases, correctfor errors. The disclosed low-latency communication protocol utilizesparity with each audio data in a packet so that there is no timenecessary for the resending of packets with errors. Each packet is shortso even if an error cannot be corrected or a packet is lost the effecton the overall data stream may not be significant.

Some packets in the uplink data stream 501 and the downlink data stream502 can further include overhead data (i.e., protocol data) added to thedata packet (D) (i.e., added to the audio data and the parity data). Forexample, a sync packet 513 (i.e., S+D) can include (in sequence)synchronization data 514 (i.e., SYNC), audio data (i.e., DATA), andparity data (i.e., PARITY). A message packet 515 (i.e., M+D) can include(in sequence) message data (i.e., MESSAGE), audio data (i.e., DATA) andparity data (i.e., PARITY).

The synchronization data 514 may be short (e.g., 16 bits) to prevent thesynchronization data (S) added to the data packet (D) from significantlydelaying the data stream. The synchronization data 514 may include async word that a receiver can use for synchronization. In other words,during a synchronization period a receiver may expect to receive a syncword. A transmitter may repeatedly transmit the sync word and thereceiver may adjust itself until the repeated sync word is receivedproperly, at which point the transmitter and the receiver aresynchronized. The sync word can be relatively short, which can increasea risk that random data is recognized as the sync word. To mitigate thisrisk, the receiver may be configured to detect correct reception of thesync word for multiple frames.

The message data 517 may be short (e.g., 16 bits) to prevent the messagedata (M) added to the data packet (D) from significantly delaying thedata stream. The message data 517 may include information regarding thecommunication, such as number of packets, packet number, length ofmessage, and acknowledgment of last message received.

In some cases, the message data is cyclic redundancy check data (i.e.,CRC data). In this case, a message packet (M+D) can include (insequence) CRC data 519 (CRC), audio data (i.e., DATA), and parity data(i.e., PARITY). The CRC data 519 may be short (e.g., 16 bits) to preventthe CRC data (CRC) added to the data packet (D) from significantlydelaying the data stream. The CRC data 519 may include information tohelp detect errors in a previously sent message data (M). When themessage packet includes CRC data it may be referred to as a CRC packet.

The message packets (M+D) and the sync packets (S+D) may be referred tocollectively as protocol packets. The protocol packets may be the samesize or different sizes and may be generally larger than the data packet511 by a number of bits for the overhead data (i.e., protocol data). Theprotocol packets can be transmitted at intervals (i.e., regularintervals) in a frame (i.e., can be distributed in the frame). In otherwords, the protocol packets can be spaced apart by a plurality of datapackets (D), such as shown in FIG. 5 .

Data packets may be transmitted at a data packet rate when not otherwisedelayed by a protocol packet. In other words, most data packets in theframe may be separated by a data packet period 523. When a protocolpacket 525 is transmitted, data packets around the protocol packet maybe separated by a delayed packet period 522. In other words, eachdelayed packet period in a frame can contribute to a communication delayof the frame. The low-latency communication protocol disclosed canreduce (e.g., eliminate) the communication delay by adjusting the datapacket period 523 to compensate for the delayed packet period 522.

As mentioned, each data packet may include one sample of audio data. Inthis case, a communication delay 140 may be minimized when the samplesof audio data are transmitted, on average, at the sampling rate of theaudio data. The disclosed low-latency communication protocol maintainsan average transmission rate by transmitting data packets at data packetperiod 523 that is faster than an audio sampling period 421 (i.e.,sample period) so that after a delayed packet period 522 the averagepacket period is the sampling period 421. In other words, the datapacket rate (i.e., data packet period) can compensate for a delay causedby a protocol packet (i.e., delayed packet period). Proper spacing ofthe protocol packets in the frame may be necessary to keep the averagecommunication delay at its minimum.

The transmitters of the uplink data stream 501 and the downlink datastream 502 may each transmit protocol packets. For example, the downlinkdata stream 502 may include a preamble packet, a message packet, and amessage packet containing CRC in each frame 500. Likewise, the uplinkdata stream 501 may include a preamble packet, a message packet, and amessage packet containing CRC in each frame 500. The frame 500 may bedivided into a first portion 520 (e.g., first half) and a second portion521 (e.g., second half) at a 50% offset point from the frame start. In apossible implementation, half (50%) of the data packets for the frameare transmitted in the first portion and half (50%) of the data packetsfor the frame are transmitted in the second portion. The transmitter ofthe downlink data stream 502 may transmit all of its protocol packets inthe first portion 520 of the frame 500, while the transmitter of theuplink data stream 501 may transmit all of its protocol packets in thesecond portion 521 of the frame 500.

The protocol packets are distributed (e.g., equally) within the frame.For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the downlink data stream and theuplink data stream may together include six protocol packets (i.e.,three in uplink data stream 501 and three in downlink data stream 502).In one possible implementation, the downlink data stream 502 (e.g.,transmitted by a master HI) can include a sync packet (S+D) at the startof the frame (i.e., 0% offset from the start), a first message packet(M+D) at a 16.7% offset from the start, and a second message packet(M+D) (i.e., CRC packet) at a 33.3% offset from the start. The uplinkdata stream 501 (e.g., transmitted by a slave HI) can include a syncpacket (S+D) at 50% offset from the start, a first message packet (M+D)at a 66.7% offset from the start, and a second message packet (M+D)(i.e., CRC packet) at 83.3% offset from the start. In other words, afterthe message packet (M+D) at 33.3% offset from the start, the downlinkdata stream 502 includes only data packets, while before the sync packet(S+D) at 50% offset from the start, the uplink data stream includes onlydata packets. At 100% offset from the start the sync packet (i.e.,preamble packet, header) packet) can be sent in the downlink data stream502 for the next frame. In other words, a preamble packet may be sent bythe master transmitter once every N samples, where N is a number of datapackets in a frame. It should be noted that the sync packet and themessage packets (i.e., the protocol packets) transmitted in the downlinkdata stream 502 (e.g., by the master) may not be the same as the syncpacket and the message packets transmitted in the uplink data steam 501(e.g., by the slave).

The protocol packets are spread in the frame to minimize a communicationdelay. For example, the sync packet 510 at 0% offset introduces a delay(i.e., latency) relative to a sample rate. The subsequent message packet515 may not transmitted until the delay can be compensated for by datapackets transmitted after the sync packet. For example, the data packetscan be transmitted at a packet transmission rate that is higher than thesample rate. In other words, the delay compensation can be divided overa plurality of data packets 524 between the sync packet 510 and themessage packet 515. Accordingly, the rate of data packet transmissionmay need to be only a fraction higher than the sampling rate of theaudio signal.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for low-latency wirelesscommunication between two devices (e.g., hearing instruments). Accordingto a possible implementation, the method 600 includes designating 610 afirst device (e.g., left hearing instrument) as a master device (i.e.,master) and designating a second device (e.g., right hearing instrument)as a slave device (i.e., slave). In other words, a frame can include anumber (N) of data packets (e.g., audio samples) transmitted by themaster and/or slave. The devices may be designated master or slave by afactory setting. For example, hearing instruments grouped (e.g., sold)in pairs may include settings so that one hearing instrument alwaysbegins communication as the master.

The method further includes transmitting 620 a protocol packet (e.g.,preamble packet, sync packet, message packet, CRC packet) from themaster to the slave. For example, the left hearing instrument may bedesignated as the master and can begin a frame by transmitting a syncpacket to the right hearing instrument. The sync packet can includesynchronization data and a payload (e.g., audio sample). The data streammay be delayed according to the time taken to transmit thesynchronization data. The delay may be relative to a desiredtransmission rate of data packets, which in turn, may be related to asample rate of the audio data at the hearing aid.

The method further includes transmitting 630 a number of data packetsbetween the master and slave in alternating fashion. In other words, themaster and slave may alternate transmitting data packets for apre-determined number of data packets. The data packets may be smaller(e.g., have a smaller number of bits) than the protocol packet. Atransmission rate of the data packets may be made slightly higher thanthe desired transmission rate so that the delay created by the preamblepacket can be compensated for by the data packets. In other words, alatency added by the protocol packet can be compensated for by the datapackets transmitted after the protocol packet. In other words, thetransmission rate of the data packets may deviate from the desiredtransmission rate during the frame, slower for protocol packets andfaster for data packets, but on average is approximately (i.e., within apercent) of the desired transmission rate of data packets for eachframe. Accordingly, the number of data packets may be based on a size ofthe preamble data.

The transmission of the protocol packets may occur at intervals (i.e.,regular intervals) for a first portion (e.g., first half) of the frame.Accordingly, the process of transmitting protocol packets followed bytransmitting data packets may repeat until all protocol packets for themaster have been transmitted (i.e., until the first portion of the frameis complete 640).

The shorter data packets transmitted between the master and slave caneach partially compensate for the delay caused by the longer protocolpacket. Distributing the protocol packets between periods oftransmitting data packets helps to minimize the latency of thecommunication because the average transmission of the payload data isalways kept close to a desired transmission rate (e.g., close to thesample rate). The number of data packets transmitted between eachprotocol packet in a frame may be the same or may vary. If each protocolpacket (i.e., preamble packet, message packet) is the same size, thenthe number of data packets transmitted in the intervals between protocolpackets may be the same.

When transmission of the first portion of the frame is complete, thenthe method 600 includes transmitting a protocol packets form the slaveto the master at regular intervals in a second portion (e.g., secondhalf) of the frame. During the second portion, the method furtherincludes transmitting 660 data packets between the master and the slavein alternating fashion in the (regular) intervals between the protocolpackets. This process can continue until the second portion of the frameis complete 620.

When the second portion of the frame is complete 620, the methodincludes beginning 690 a new frame and repeating the process describedabove for the next frame. The frame length can be made longer or shorteras needed for different applications. For example, because the protocoloperates on a sample-by-sample basis, the frame length is not determinedby a minimum payload size.

The method shown in FIG. 6 assumes the devices are synchronized. Forsynchronization between two devices, a first device may repeatedlytransmit a sync word to a second device. The second device is expectingthe sync word and can adjust its receiver until the sync word isproperly received. After the adjustments are made, the second device maytransmit an acknowledgment to the first device that communication, suchas shown in FIG. 6 , can begin. Details of a possible synchronizationphase (i.e., start-up mode) to start the communication are describedbelow.

FIG. 7 illustrates a frame of uplink and downlink data streams forvarious phases of the low-latency wireless communication protocolaccording to a possible implementation of the present disclosure. Asmentioned, the communication between two devices can be synchronizedprior to communication. Accordingly, the communication protocol mayinclude a start-up mode for synchronization and a run mode forcommunication. The start-up mode may include a first phase and a secondphase, while the run mode may include a bidirectional mode or aunidirectional mode.

The details of these modes can be described with reference to FIG. 7 .FIG. 7 illustrates a frame 700 of a downlink data stream of packetstransmitted by a first hearing instrument designated as a master (i.e.,master device 701) and an uplink data stream of packets transmitted by asecond hearing instrument designated as a slave (i.e., slave device 702)and for a first phase of a start-up mode (i.e., first phase 711), for asecond phase of a start-up mode (i.e., second phase 712), and for a runmode 713.

In the first phase 711 of the start-up mode, the master device 701 isconfigured to transmit packets while the slave device 702 is configuredto not transmit (i.e., listen). The transmitted packets include protocolpackets (i.e., S+D, M+D) that protocol information (e.g., sync word,messages, CRC data, etc.) and a payload of audio data (e.g., one or moreaudio samples). The transmitted packets further include (shorter) datapackets (i.e., D) that only include audio data. In a first portion(e.g., first half) of the frame 700, the protocol packets are spaced atintervals (e.g., regular intervals) with the data packets in between.The communication is similar to that shown in FIG. 5 , however,timeslots provide for the slave device 702 are filled instead withrepeating-pattern data 720 (i.e., repetitive-pattern data). For example,the repeating-pattern data packets (i.e., R) can include a binarypattern. The binary pattern can contain 50% zeros and 50% ones. The onesand zeros can be in any sequence, such as a repeating one-zero-onebinary pattern (i.e., . . . 1010 . . . ). The slave device can acquire aphase and frequency lock (i.e., synchronize) on the transmitted data.The frame of the first phase 711 may be repeatedly transmitted to allowthe slave to synchronize. In a second portion (e.g., second half) of theframe 700, the master 701 stops transmitting for one or more listeningperiods. For example, the second portion of the frame 700 may include afirst listening period 731, a second listening period 732, and a thirdlistening period 733. The listening periods provide times for the slaveto respond with its own protocol packets. The slave device may responseafter it has synchronized.

In the second phase 712 of the start-up mode, the slave has synchronizedand transmits protocol packets during the listening periods. For examplethe slave may transmit its sync packet (S+D) during the first listeningperiod 731, a first message packet (M+D) during the second listeningperiod 732, and a second message packet (e.g., a CRC packet (C+D))during the third listening period 733. These protocol packets sent bythe slave inform the master that it has synchronized. As a result, themaster synchronizes with the slave by using the slave's sync packet(S+D). After the master synchronizes (e.g., receives the sync wordcorrectly), the master may communicate its sync status to the slave viamessage packets.

After both the master and the slave synchronize, the communication mayenter a run mode 713. The run mode 713 may be bidirectional orunidirectional. For example, a bidirectional run mode is shown in FIG. 7. In this mode, the master 701 and the slave 702 communicate protocolpackets (S+D, M+D, C+D) and data packets (D) as described for FIG. 5 .In a unidirectional run mode (not shown), the master can transmitexclusively while the slave receives. Alternatively, the slave 702 cantransmit exclusively while the master 701 receives.

The latency of the wireless communication protocol is low because apayload of the data packets (D) can be small. Each packet can includeone sample of audio so that each sample is transmitted individually on asample-by-sample bases to reduce a latency in the communication of thesamples. For example, packets can be created on a sample-by-sample basisat a hearing instrument. The latency (i.e., communication delay) of thewireless communication protocol is also low (e.g., ≤3 sample periods,<125 μsec) because delays caused by transmitting protocol data (e.g.,preamble data, synchronization data, messages, CRC data, etc.) can becompensated for by increasing a packet-transmission rate of data packetsso that the latency caused by the protocol data is low (e.g., zero). Thelatency of the wireless communication protocol is also low because thereis no resending of packets. Parity bits are included with each datapacket so if a data packet is corrupted it can be repaired. If it islost, then its loss is not significant to the entire data stream. Thelatency of the wireless communication protocol is also low because theprotocol data can be kept small (e.g., 16 bits) because a binauralapplication may reduce the scope of the information necessary to carryout communication. For at least these reasons the latency may bereferred to as low compared to other wireless protocols (e.g.,Bluetooth, WiFi, UWB, etc.). For example, the latency of the protocoldescribed here may be on the order of microseconds (e.g., 125 μs (3samples) for a 24 kHz sampling rate) rather than milliseconds.

In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments have beendisclosed. The present disclosure is not limited to such exemplaryembodiments. For example, while NFMI has been described it is possiblethat the low-latency protocol described herein could be used with otherwireless technologies, such as those that require propagating RFsignals.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. Methods and materials similar or equivalent to those describedherein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure.As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “comprising” and variations thereofas used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” andvariations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms. The terms“optional” or “optionally” used herein mean that the subsequentlydescribed feature, event or circumstance may or may not occur, and thatthe description includes instances where said feature, event orcircumstance occurs and instances where it does not. Ranges may beexpressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about”another particular value. When such a range is expressed, an aspectincludes from the one particular value and/or to the other particularvalue. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use ofthe antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpointsof each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the otherendpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

While certain features of the described implementations have beenillustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions,changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Itis, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of theimplementations. It should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, not limitation, and various changes in form anddetails may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methodsdescribed herein may be combined in any combination, except mutuallyexclusive combinations. The implementations described herein can includevarious combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions,components and/or features of the different implementations described.

It will be understood that, in the foregoing description, when anelement is referred to as being on, connected to, electrically connectedto, coupled to, or electrically coupled to another element, it may bedirectly on, connected or coupled to the other element, or one or moreintervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being directly on, directly connected to or directlycoupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present.Although the terms directly on, directly connected to, or directlycoupled to may not be used throughout the detailed description, elementsthat are shown as being directly on, directly connected or directlycoupled can be referred to as such. The claims of the application, ifany, may be amended to recite exemplary relationships described in thespecification or shown in the figures.

As used in this specification, a singular form may, unless definitelyindicating a particular case in terms of the context, include a pluralform. Spatially relative terms (e.g., over, above, upper, under,beneath, below, lower, and so forth) are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. In some implementations, therelative terms above and below can, respectively, include verticallyabove and vertically below. In some implementations, the term adjacentcan include laterally adjacent to or horizontally adjacent to.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hearing instrument system, comprising: a first hearing instrument designated as master and configured to be worn at a first ear of a user, the first hearing instrument including: a first microphone; a first speaker; a first transceiver configured for wireless communication; and a first processor configured to execute software instructions stored in a first memory, the software instructions, when executed, causing the first processor to: transmit a first channel of audio samples collected at the first microphone in packets that contain audio samples, the packets being transmitted as the audio samples are collected so that a latency in the wireless communication is within one order of magnitude of a sample period of the audio samples; and a second hearing instrument designated as slave and configured to be worn at a second ear of the user, the second hearing instrument including: a second microphone; a second speaker; a second transceiver configured for wireless communication; and a second processor configured to execute software instructions stored in a second memory, the software instructions causing the second processor to: transmit a second channel of audio samples collected at the second microphone in packets that contain audio samples, the packets being transmitted as the audio samples are collected; receive the first channel of audio samples collected at the first microphone; combine the first channel and the second channel for a binaural application; and couple an output of the binaural application to the second speaker.
 2. The hearing instrument system according to claim 1, wherein each packet contains one audio sample.
 3. The hearing instrument system according to claim 1, wherein the one order of magnitude of the sample period is microseconds.
 4. The hearing instrument system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication includes near field magnetic induction (NFMI).
 5. The hearing instrument system according to claim 1, wherein the binaural application is beamforming.
 6. The hearing instrument system according to claim 1, wherein the combining includes synchronizing the first channel and the second channel.
 7. The hearing instrument system according to claim 1, wherein the packets include protocol packets and data packets.
 8. The hearing instrument system according to claim 7, wherein the protocol packets and the data packets are transmitted in a frame, the protocol packets being separated by a plurality of data packets.
 9. A hearing instrument system, comprising: a first hearing instrument designated as master and configured to be worn at a first ear of a user, the first hearing instrument including: a first microphone; a first speaker; a first transceiver configured for wireless communication; and a first processor configured to execute software instructions stored in a first memory, the software instructions, when executed, causing the first processor to: transmit a first channel of audio samples collected at the first microphone in a first stream of protocol packets spaced apart by a plurality of data packets that contain audio samples and that are transmitted as the audio samples are collected, each of the plurality of data packets being shorter than each of the protocol packets so that a latency added by the stream of protocol packets to the transmitted audio samples is reduced; and a second hearing instrument designated as slave and configured to be worn at a second ear of the user, the second hearing instrument including: a second microphone; a second speaker; a second transceiver configured for wireless communication; and a second processor configured to execute software instructions stored in a second memory, the software instructions causing the second processor to: transmit a second channel of audio samples collected at the second microphone in packets that contain audio samples, the packets being transmitted as the audio samples are collected; and receive the first channel of audio samples collected at the first microphone.
 10. The hearing instrument system according to claim 9, wherein the first hearing instrument is a first hearing aid and the second hearing instrument is a second hearing aid.
 11. The hearing instrument system according to claim 9, wherein each data packet includes one audio sample.
 12. The hearing instrument system according to claim 9 wherein the wireless communication includes near field magnetic induction (NFMI).
 13. The hearing instrument system according to claim 9, wherein the second processor is further configured to: combine the first channel and the second channel for a binaural application.
 14. The hearing instrument system according to claim 13, wherein the binaural application is beamforming.
 15. The hearing instrument system according to claim 9, wherein the latency is within an order of magnitude of a sample period of the first channel of audio samples.
 16. A method for communication between a first hearing instrument and a second hearing instrument, the method comprising: designating the first hearing instrument as a master and the second hearing instrument as a slave; collecting audio samples from a first microphone of the first hearing instrument; transmitting a first channel of the audio samples in packets from the first hearing instrument to the second hearing instrument, the packets being transmitted as the audio samples are collected so that a latency in the communication is within one order of magnitude of a sample period of the audio samples; receiving the first channel of audio samples at the second hearing instrument; collecting audio samples from a second microphone of the second hearing instrument for a second channel; and combining the first channel and the second channel for a binaural application.
 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: coupling an output of the binaural application to a second speaker of the second hearing instrument.
 18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: transmitting the second channel of the audio samples in packets from the second hearing instrument to the first hearing instrument, the packets being transmitted as the audio samples are collected so that a latency in the communication is within one order of magnitude of a sample period of the audio samples of the second channel.
 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein each packet contains one audio sample.
 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the communication includes near field magnetic induction (NFMI). 